Rams Power Rankings: Week 9
Kristen Lago
http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Power-Rankings-Week-9/b1a3ec07-625c-42b2-bbd8-11e6e4ed3a35
After taking the bye week to relax and unwind, the Rams will be back in action for Week 9 of the regular season. Los Angeles will be on the road for the third-straight game as it travels east to face off against the New York Giants on Sunday.
Every week, TheRams.com will be taking an aggregate look at where the team ranks in different outlets across the sports media landscape. Here are the power rankings for the Rams heading into Week 9:
NFL.com, Elliot Harrison Rank: 2
Last Week: 2
Change: –
“ Flying silently — although never on Twitter — is the work of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Broaching such hot topics as Medicare can only be surpassed by the performance of the defense he directs. That’s why the Rams are so high. The upside of the defense means this team can get even better. After allowing 26.3 points per game over the first four contests of the season, the defense has shut the door, giving up a meager 11.0 ppg in the past three outings. Against the run, Phillips’ unit is allowing 85.3 rush yards per game since Week 5. Before Week 5, that figure was at 151.2. Oh, and the defense is primarily responsible for winning the last two games, too.”
ESPN.com Rank: 8
Last Week: 7
Change: -1
“The Rams are off to one of their best starts in years, but they need to cut down on turnovers in order to keep winning. They’ve fumbled 15 times this season (lost eight of them), which is tied for fourth-most in the NFL, and have a turnover margin of zero.”
Yahoo! Shutdown Corner Rank: 7
Last Week: 6
Change: -1
“Next up for the Rams is an interesting game at the Giants. The Giants aren’t good, but the Rams are flying across country for an early game, which can be tricky. It’s one of those games where if Los Angeles is for real — and there’s no reason to believe they’re not — this shouldn’t be a tough game.”
The Washington Post Rank: 5
Last Week: 5
Change: –
“It’s back to work for the Rams, who come out of the bye attempting to remain one of the league’s most surprising success stories. The post-bye portion of their schedule begins with a game they should win Sunday against the Giants at the Meadowlands.”
USA Today Rank: 6
Last Week: 7
Change: +1
“Their last two games were in Jacksonville and London, both wins. Now Rams visit New York Giants post-bye, hoping to end season 3-0 on Atlantic’s coasts.”
CBS Sports, Pete Prisco Rank: 5
“They come off their bye with a long road trip to play the Giants. But they’ve had some long ones already, including at London two weeks ago. Are they ready to push for a division title?”
Sports Illustrated Rank: 8
Last Week: 7
Change: -1
Pro Football Talk, Mike Florio Rank: 8
Last Week: 7
Change: -1
THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT’S RANKS — NEW YORK GIANTS
NFL.com — 29
ESPN.com — 30
Yahoo! Shutdown Corner — 29
Pro Football Talk — 30
The Washington Post — 29
USA Today — 29
CBS Sports — 30
Bleacher Report — 29
Sports Illustrated — 28
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